TLWRO 07

Chapter 07

“Huaa…”

I flopped heavily onto the ledger.

‘It’s the first day of reopening, and it was way busier than I expected.’

From people selling items they’d kept stored away to inquiries about consignment sales, even considering it was opening day, business was overflowing.

But this bustle was exactly what I had hoped for.

“The strategy worked perfectly!”

A pawnshop has two sources of income:

Buying items cheaply from customers and selling them at a higher price — “purchase.”

Lending money using customers’ items as collateral and charging interest — “pawn loans.”

But I judged that to make more money, I needed a new revenue model.

‘That’s why I thought of consignment sales.’

Consignment sales.

Acting as a broker who sells customers’ goods on their behalf.

At first, earning commission fees is nice, but the real value lies elsewhere.

‘I can hold and display high-quality items without spending a single cent of my own cash.’

Given my limited capital for now, it was the best strategy I could choose.

A pawnshop’s business depends on the items customers bring.

If the items are good, more customers come. If more customers come, the items they bring improve.

The better and more expensive the items, the higher the commission I can earn — a win-win.

It’s a virtuous cycle.

“It seems Lady Helena has been spreading rumors here and there. I should at least thank her.”

When she came in, she clearly showed distrust towards me.

But her attitude just before leaving was completely different.

“As the guild leader of this street, I must maintain a strict stance. But before being the guild leader… I was also a senior who first walked the path of commerce.”

In Helena’s eyes, trust had quietly seeped in.

“If a capable newcomer sincerely wants to try running a business, I will gladly support and help as a senior.”

I could understand Helena’s position. I even thought her initially haughty tone might have been just posturing.

I had seen Helena’s name in my grandfather’s customer ledger.

‘If she really had a bad personality, she wouldn’t have been reappointed for five years. Hah, she sure is good at her job — giving such strong support.’

Helena stamped the [Approved] seal on my 《Reopening Report》 with a firm thud and said,

“Work hard, Member Elisha.”

She called me “Member Elisha,” not “Miss.” She recognized me as a legitimate member of the street.

I had finished everything I could do on the first day of opening.

And successfully, too!

‘Grandfather would be happy if he knew.’

His handwriting remained in the ledger.

His last words from the nursing home echoed in my ears.

“My granddaughter, Elisha… take good care of the pawnshop.”

Grandfather was a rough, taciturn man. He wasn’t the type to say something like “take care.”

So at the time, I couldn’t answer. I almost cried because he looked so different from usual.

Belatedly, I murmured softly as if replying.

“I’m doing well. So don’t worry.”

‘I miss you, grandfather.’

Closing the ledger, I looked at the pawnshop with a fresh feeling.

The small pawnshop has four floors in total.

‘Basement, first floor, second floor, attic.’

The basement stores pawned items that must not be exposed to light — mostly rare books or paintings.

The first floor is where I am now — the customer reception area and where most purchased goods are displayed.

The second floor is usually locked. It’s like a vault storing items left as collateral by customers and weapons or magic tools that require careful handling.

The attic is my grandfather’s personal space and workshop.

‘Since I passed the debt bomb house to Hugo, I thought I’d live in the attic for a while. It’s small but has a bathroom and kitchen.’

But?

‘I haven’t finished cleaning it yet…’

I haven’t cleaned the attic because I was busy sweeping and polishing the reception area and display cases.

Still, that’s no big deal. For now, I could just sleep under the blanket beneath the first-floor counter.

‘In my past life when I wandered the streets of Moro Duchy, I even slept on the ground. So having a roof is already luxurious.’

The closing time had long passed.

Stretching, I stood up and glanced out the window absentmindedly.

“……”

And froze.

“Busy, huh.”

Because a huge, dark man was leaning against the window.

What? When did he get here? Is he asking me if I’m busy? More importantly, does he know me?

As I slowly lowered my creaky arms raised like a cheer, a thought popped up.

‘Could he be someone sent by Hugo?’

I had thought he would come soon.

But to send someone instead of coming himself?

‘I thought Hugo Count would come himself rather than spreading rumors that he sent a little girl to squeeze money out of me.’

Unexpected, but I was fully prepared.

I had set up security magic and bought plenty of self-defense magic tools.

Naturally, I placed one hand on a self-defense spray and the other on the button.

‘Pressing the button lowers iron bars and automatically locks all entrances.’

I heard that this spray burns terribly.

If it touches skin, one couldn’t do anything for at least two days.

I’d use it immediately if needed.

I looked up.

“Yes, that’s right. It’s been a bit busy. I had a lot to do.”

I answered casually but kept watching the man.

I needed to assess my opponent to be prepared.

The first thing I noticed about him was his broad body that covered more than half the large window.

‘Does a human body really have to be that big?’

He looked like a wall.

No, the black shirt he wore had several buttons undone.

Through the gaps, a jet-black pattern showed briefly, as if he had no intention to hide it.

Rather than focusing on a strong tattoo, a thick body filling the shirt, or a decadent appearance, another question came to mind.

‘Isn’t he cold?’

Well, that’s none of my business.

Whether the guy who came to squeeze my money was cold or not.

I passed over his strong yet sleek jaw and scarred cheek and looked straight into his eyes.

Gazing into his mysterious eyes of ash gray mixed with red, I smiled gently.

“Still, you don’t seem to have an urgent business, do you?”

“Why do you think that?”

‘Oh, this is the first time I’ve heard a voice this deep besides grandfather’s.’

I shrugged.

“If it was urgent, you would have called me already. Even if you had, I probably wouldn’t have helped you.”

“Why? Do you pick your customers?”

“No, it’s past closing time. Would you come back tomorrow?”

‘He’s not barging in right away. Maybe he’s just here to check if grandfather is around.’

I smiled, and the man’s eyes narrowed.

“Are you the boss of this pawnshop?”

“Yes, as you can see, I am.”

“Isn’t this kind of work… a bit… young for you?”

This kind of work? Young?

I was even more taken aback by the man’s rude tone as he looked me over.

He lit a sleek red cigarette!

“What the hell are you doing?!”

I was about to retort but lost my fighting spirit.

Where on earth did he learn such manners?

“Hey, this is a non-smoking area.”

My complaint was completely ignored.

Ugh, should I spray it or not? I looked at him with cold eyes.

Just then, a group of passersby came into view.

Good, it’s better to have witnesses.

What if this guy laid a hand on me as big as a pot lid?

I am not just some passerby — I’m an official guild member.

This guy just messed with a “Merchant of the Ash Gray Street.”

At least I could make sure Hugo’s gang never sets foot here again.

‘Thinking about that, maybe I could take a hit or two — and get compensation while I’m at it.’

The man seemed to notice the presence.

He half-turned to look at the people.

The townsfolk! Look here! I shouted inside, but…

People who met the man’s eyes flinched and quickly averted their gaze.

“Hurry up, hurry. Keep your head down. Don’t make eye contact.”

“What on earth is his expression about…?”

Huh? Expression?

Why were people scared just by his expression?

I was genuinely puzzled.

Did he have some kind of horn I hadn’t seen?